Side shift mechanism for an industrial truck



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SIDE SHIFT MECHANISM FOR AN INDUSTRIAL TRUCK Original Filed Aug. 17. 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 7 INVENTOR. I

m f :2 =9 Bftw/smus I (/q/rsr/ n nrmgways 3,528,579 SIDE SHIFT MECHANISM FOR AN INDUSTRIAL TRUCK Bronislaus I. Ulinski, Jenkintown, Pa., assignor to Eaton Yale & Towne Inc., Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Original application Aug. 17, 1965, Ser. No. 480,355, now Patent No. 3,414,150, dated Dec. 3, 1968. Divided and this application Oct. 5, 1967, Ser. No. 688,286 Int. Cl. B65g 47/ US. Cl. 214-730 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A lift truck is equipped with two pairs of scissors links that support a load carrier for extending and retracting movement, each particular pair of links being formed from relatively thin metal plate, with one of its links formed in two parts. The two parts are arranged at opposed sides of the second scissors link of the particular pair, and are assembled to one another through a bearing member that is mounted to rotate in an opening of the escond link. The scissors links will contribute a relatively large throw While each link is rather short, and will permit the truck operator better visibility. The load carrier supported by the'scissorslinks has a hydraulic ram that will side shift load engaging forks, while also supporting the forks for both side shifting and vertical tilting movements.

This application is a division of my earlier application Ser. No. 480,355, filed Aug. 17, 1965 now US. Pat. No. 3,414,150, for Scissors Extender.

The invention in my present application relates to industrial lift trucks, and more particularly to novel means for side shifting and tilting load forks on the truck.

Those persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a construction that is designed to manipulate forks on a lift truck should contribute as little as possible to the length of the truck. Where the forks are supported through uprights on the truck, the normal load carrying position of the forks should be as near as possible to the uprights. In my earlier application I claim a fork extending and retracting mechanism that will place the forks very near the truck uprights when in retracted position. The subject of the present application is a simple and effective fork shifting and tilting construction that need add little to the truck length, and that can be -very successfully used with my fork extending and retracting mechanism while yet permitting the extreme retracting movements of that mechanism.

As a feature of my invention, I mount load forks on a support having a bearing member that is preferably slideable on a sideshift ram. Then, through operation of this ram, I am able to shift my fork support sideways of the truck. The fork support is integral with the bearing member. Obviously, by supplying fluid to the ram cylinder, the fork support is side shifted. Further, because the fork support is so carried by the ram cylinder, it may rotate on the axis of the cylinder for tilting the forks. This tilt is effected by rams, the operating ends of which bear against the fork support as it is shifted.

As a detailed feature, I utilize a side shift ram having a cylinder so arranged that it may enter between the uprights on the truck. Also, I arrange the tilting rams to enter between the uprights.

I have thus outlined rather broadly the more important features of my invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that my contribution to the art may be better I United States Patent 0 3,528,579 Patented Sept. 15, 1970 appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of my invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject of the claims appended hereto. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception on which my disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures for carrying out the several purposes of my invention.

Referring to the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an elevation of a standard type of industrial truck showing the attachment of my invention applied thereto.

FIG. 2 is a partial section in elevation showing the scissors mechanism of my invention in a retracted position in which the support member is fully retracted.

FIG. 3 is a view exactly like FIG. 2 with the exception that the tilt ram has been actuated to tilt the forks.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to that of FIGS. 2. and 3 except that the scissors links have been operated to project the support member and showing the forks in a nontilted position and in a tilted position.

FIG. 5 is an elevation in partial section taken vertically parallel to the lifting uprights of the truck and showing the relationship of the scissors links to one another and to the base plate and support member of my invention.

FIG. 6 is a view looking downwardly on the parts of FIG. 2 showing the relationship of the various parts of my scissors assembly.

FIG. 7 is a section along the line 7-7 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is an exploded isometrical view of my invention but showing the relationship of scissor parts thereof.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, reference number 10 refers to a standard type of industrial truck such as is well known in the art, and which utilizes primary uprights 11 that are fixed to the truck or are pivoted at the bottom end to the truck. As frequently happens in the trucks of the particular class, high lifting is desired, and for this purpose I utilize secondary uprights 12, which are probably better shown in such FIGS. as 2 and 5. The secondary uprights move vertically on the primary uprights in the standard manner such as is well understood and which need not be described in detail here.

As shown, I utilize an assembly of scissors links together with a base plate on a support member, in addition to other means. The base plate is designated by reference number 13 and comprises a pair of main side plates 14, each of the side plates having an upper roller 15 and a lower roller 16. These rollers ride in the channels of secondary uprights so that the base plate 13 may move upwardly and downwardly relatively to the secondary uprights and also move with the secondary uprights relatively to the primary uprights.

The support member of the invention in my present application comprises basically a pair of side plates 17a and 17b which are preferably joined together for integral movement by suitable transverse connecting bars 17d, 170. A hydraulic ram cylinder 18 is fixed at each end thereof to the side plates 17a and 17b. The piston 1'9 of the hydraulic sideshift ram slides relatively to the plates 17 of the support member and relatively to the cylinder 18. The piston '19 extends outwardly at both sides of the ram 18 and is secured at its ends 20 to what I term a load carrier 21. This load carrier 21 is adapted to carry load forks 22 which may be applied to the carrier through portions 23 coacting with a castellated edge 24 of the carrier 21. The carrier 21 is slideably supported on the external surface of cylinder 18 by a bearing housing 21a fixed to the carrier 21.

The piston 19 is formed with a piston head 25 as shown in FIG. 8 which moves within the ram cylinder 18 through the introduction of fluid at 26 or at 27 and with the exit of fluid through the opposite opening 26 or 27. Thus, when the sideshift ram is actuated, the carrier bearing housing 21 is moved relative to the ram cylinder 18 and the load carrier is moved laterally relative to the support member. This constitutes what is termed sideshift to the load carrier 21 and forks 22. As those skilled in the art will well appreciate, there are many prior art concepts showing sideshifting mechanisms. However, as those skilled in the art will recognize the particular concept of moving a load carrier on and relatively to the ram cylinder in the manner conceived by me is particularly valuable within the load manipulating combination that I have so far outlined and which will be described in more detail presently.

Returning now to the main side plates 14 and side plates 17 of the support member, I shall describe the scissors mechanism interconnecting these plates, while referring only to the scissors links at one side of the truck. Thus, there are two pairs of scissors links, but since they are duplicates, I shall describe their construction through use of terms in the singular wherever possible and shall refer from one pair of scissors links to the other as seems more convenient in view of the arrangement of the drawings. Referring now more particularly to the FIG. 8, it will be noted that one of each pair of links is designated by reference number 30. The upper end of this link carries a roller 31 which operates in a slot 32 of the main side plate 14. The lower end of the link is pivoted at 33 to its vertical plate 17. It will be noted that the link 30, as probably best seen in FIG. 5, has a central portion 34 and an offset upper portion 35 and a lower offset portion 36. Because of this particular arrangement, it will be obvious that the lower end 36 lies in a plane laterally spaced from that of the upper end 35 which carries the roller 31. Therefore, the lower end 36 can bypass the plate 14 and move from the projected position shown in FIGS. 4 and 8 to the retracted position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

The other link 30a of the scissors link combination of which link 30 is a component, is formed of two parts, one of which I designated by reference number 40 and the other by reference number 41. The two link parts 40 and 41 are assembled to one another and to a bearing 42 in a rather unique manner. Thus, it will be noted particularly from FIGS. 7 and 8 that the link 30 has a bearing opening 43 within which fits the bearing 42. Each of the link parts 40 and 41 are formed with a series of bored holes 44 aligned with bored holes 45 of the bearing 42. Obviously, through the use of bolts 46 the link parts 40, 41 may be assembled to one another as well as to the link 30. This locates the link part 41 to one side of the link 30 and the link part 40 to the other side of the link 30. It also very effectively mounts the two link parts 40 and 41 for rotation in the link 30 even though the link 30 is formed of relatively thin metal with the bearing opening 43 within the link portion 34. The location of the two link parts 40, 41 at each side of the link 30 gives effective support against twist to the bearing 42 while naturally, the bearing 42 secures the link parts 40, 41 together. As will be apparent, particularly from FIG. 5, the link part 41 is offset relatively to the link part 40 in exactly the same manner as the link parts 35 and 36 of the link 30 are offset. This makes it possible for the upper portion of the link part 41 to carry a roller movable in a slide 47 of the plate 17 while the lower link portion 40 is pivoted at 48 to the plate 14. It will be quite evident from FIG. 5 that the various link parts may effectively pass one another. Thus, the upper ends of the one-piece links 30 and the two-piece links 30a are offset relatively to one another so that they can pass one another in either direction of movement and without hindrance. It will be obvious that the lower ends may also pass one another in either direction and without hindrance. Because of this, it is possible to obtain a very full projection and retraction of the support member constituting plates 17. This will be particularly appreciated as a study is now made 4 of FIGS. 2, 3 and 4. In FIG. 4, the plates 17 of the support member are shown projected relatively to the base plate through the action of the scissors mechanism. In FIGS. 2 and 3 the support plates 17 are shown fully retracted, and it will be noted that the pivot 33 is now at the rear of the pivot 48. In other words, because of this ofiset position, the pivot 33 is able to move not only to a position opposite to lever 40 but to a position at the rear of the base plate 14. This means that the scissors links have a greater throw than links of the usual scissors mechanism, because the throw can start from a more fully retracted position. It will also be noted in.FIGS. 2 and 3.

that the rollers 48a at the upper ends of the link parts 41 are rearward of the rollers 31, all in accordance with the teachings I have already set forth above.

It will now be understood that because of the construction of the links constituting my scissors mechanism, and because of the particular relationship described, I not only may use links formed of plates so as to contribute extreme visibility, but I am also able to efliect a bypassing relationship that will contribute to the extremely effective throw and retraction of my support member and the load carrier.

I show a particular arrangement of rams for effecting the throw of the support member plates 17, 17 relatively to the base plates 14, 14. For this purpose, each of the links 30 is formed with an abutment carrying a pivot 50 to which may be pivoted the piston 51 of a ram 52, the ram 52 is in turn pivoted at 53 to a plate 17. There are, naturally, two of these rams 52, one for each of the plates 17. It is through the extension and retraction of the rams 52 that the links are moved to throw and retract the support member. Through the mounting of the rarns between the support member and the scissors links, I obtain a very effective result. Thus, I not only can contribute throw of the support member plates 17, but I do this without encumbering base plates 13 and its side plates 14. As those skilled will readily appreciate, the mounting of rams 0n the base plate or any part of the base plate, presents a very considerable problem particularly because it would be difficult to operate the links without obstructing the movement of the support member into the closely nested position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

Because of the fact that the cylinder 18 operating in the bearing housing 21a is cylindrical, it may not only slide relatively to the cylinder 18, but may rotate relative- 1y thereto. I take advantage of this rotation to effect a pivotal movement of the load carrier 21 as will best be appreciated in FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 8. Thus, the load carrier 21 and all slidable positions thereof, has a portion 60 that slides relatively to a ball 61 formed at the end 31 of tilt piston 62. There are two rams and two ram pistons 62, one at the bottom of each plate 17. Since in all positions the carrier 21 will bear against the roller 61 of each ram piston 62, it is merely necessary to project the ram piston 62 to effect tilt of the load carrier about the axis of the ram cylinder 18 and housing 21a.

While a preferred form of the invention has been shown and described, it will be appreciated that this is for the purpose of illustration and that changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I now claim:

1. In an industrial truck, a pair of uprights, a support member, means mounting said support member for vertical movement on said uprights, a load carrier, a sideshift ram cylinder, means mounting said sideshift ram cylinder in position on said support member with the outer surface of the cylinder lying transverse to the vertical movement of the support member, means supporting said load carrier for transverse sliding movement on the outer surface of said ram cylinder, a ram piston operating within said ram cylinder and connected to said load carrier for actuating said load carrier transversely relative to said support member.

2. In an industrial truck, a pair of uprights, a base member mounted for vertical movements on said uprights, a vertical support member means mounting said support member for projecting and retracting movements relatively to said base member, a shift ram comprising a cylinder arranged in an axis transverse to the projecting and retracting movements of said support member, and a piston actuated by fluid pressures in said cylinder, means mounting said shift ram cylinder in a fixed relation to said support member, the outer surface of said cylinder extending in the direction of said transverse axis, a load carrier, bearing means movable on said outer surface of said cylinder and supporting said load carrier on said cylinder, and means connecting the shift ram piston to the load carrier, so that said piston when actuated will shift the carrier while said bearing means support said carrier on the ram cylinder.

3. The construction set forth in claim 2, in which said support member includes opposed side plates to which the ram cylinder is secured, and said side plates being so spaced as to lie in position intermediate the truck uprights when the support member is in a retracted position.

4. The construction set forth in claim 2, including a further ram extending between the load carrier and the support member for tilting said carrier through a pivotal movement of said bearing means on the shift ram cylinder.

5. The construction set forth in claim 1, in which said means mounting the load carrier are constructed to permit tilting movements of said load carrier, and further including a tilt ram extending between said load carrier and said support member for tilting said carrier. 6. The construction set forth in claim 5, in which said tilt ram is fixed to said support member and is equipped with a roller rotatable in contact with a bearing surface on the load carrier during the transverse sliding of said carrier.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Rockwell 52 Turner.

Morrell 6052 X Schenkelberger 60653 Ulinski 60730 Gibson 60730 Loef 60670 X Morgan 92-129 XR Boulton 214768 Perry 214653 XR Feucht 92-137 Dorkins et a1 214138 Brown 214730 XR Loef 214- Rey.

Traver 214730 XR Firth et al. 92178 XR Heggity 214674 FOREIGN PATENTS GERALD M. FORLENZA, Primary Examiner R. B. JOHNSON, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

